Chapter 1321: Spirit Embryo

Inside the Mountain within a Mountain.

Here, the nature of the fiery energy was undergoing a transformation. The mountain body was nearly transparent, allowing a clear view of the flickering flames at its core. Strangely, these flames were blue.

They seemed to be walking through a sea of fire. The Ice Pendant could no longer block the fire poison, so Qin Sang activated the Fire Lotus Seed, forming a layer of fiery armor around himself. As the demonic flame's aura emanated, the blue fiery energy visibly recoiled. Seeing this, Bing Han felt a surge of joy; the demonic flame's deterrent effect on the fiery energy was stronger than she had anticipated.

Soon, Qin Sang saw the Fire Jade. This was the core of the Mountain within a Mountain, a small space where the fiery energy of the ley lines was incredibly viscous, like thick syrup, forming a peculiar pool of blue spring water. However, the "water" in this spring was actually pure, unadulterated fiery energy. At the center of the fiery spring lay a blue jade stone the size of a human head, precisely the Fire Jade Bing Han had mentioned.

The Fire Jade was oblate, floating on the surface of the fiery spring, constantly tempered by the fiery energy. Its surface undulated rhythmically. The fluctuations Qin Sang had sensed from outside were emanating from it, indicating a very soft texture.

Qin Sang noticed a spectral image of a square cauldron surrounding the Fire Jade, perfectly encompassing it. The square cauldron was clearly not a natural formation. Qin Sang scanned his surroundings and, as expected, discovered a spiritual array. The spectral cauldron was a manifestation of the array's power.

"This Spirit Nurturing Array was personally set up by our ancestor," Bing Han explained as she stepped forward. "One purpose is to absorb the fiery energy from the underground ley lines to accelerate the fire spirit's gestation. The second purpose is to suppress and subdue the fire spirit. However, this particular fire spirit is too special; it cannot be suppressed by the array..."

With a light tap of her jade-like finger in the air, the square cauldron trembled slightly. The fire spirit reacted immediately. The fiery spring surged with ripples, the underground ley lines stirred, and powerful fluctuations swept forth, causing the Mountain within a Mountain to quake, akin to the fire spirit's roar. These were the very fluctuations Qin Sang had sensed from outside, but here, the sensation was far more intense, with fiery energy from all directions surging towards them. Bing Han immediately withdrew her hand, and the fire spirit returned to calm.

Qin Sang examined the Fire Jade and asked, "How confident are you, Fellow Daoist? If we were to find a similar fire spirit elsewhere, could we use this method to refine a spiritual treasure?"

Bing Han did not conceal anything, explaining in detail, "We cannot be certain until the day the spiritual treasure is fully formed! Even if you were to find another fire spirit, it would be extremely difficult to achieve this. This special fire spirit was nurtured only due to the unique terrain of the Mountain within a Mountain, combined with the various arrangements made by our patriarch."

Qin Sang nodded in disappointment. The Void Spirit Sect had been planning this since its founding patriarch, an incredibly long time. He could not afford to wait that long. Rather than using this method, it would be better to diligently study the art of artifact refining, ensuring that Yun Youzi's true spirit safely integrated into the ebony sword, and to anticipate its transformation.

"Once Fellow Daoist Xiang recovers, we will begin," Bing Han said. "During this time, Fellow Daoist Qin, please thoroughly study the artifact refining secrets in this jade slip. In case of any unexpected issues during the refining process, we will need assistance from both of you."

Bing Han produced a jade slip. Qin Sang took the jade slip, smiling as he said, "So, even if I didn't ask, I would still learn artifact refining techniques. I guess I didn't drive a hard enough bargain this time."

Bing Han replied earnestly, "These few artifact refining techniques are merely a fraction of our sect's treasured collection. Once this matter is concluded, I will grant you access to all our scriptures. By then, you will surely feel that your journey was worthwhile."

After inspecting the Fire Jade, the two flew out of the mountain pass. Qin Sang returned to the Fire-Averse Pavilion and began to comprehend the contents of the jade slip.

After a rough first read-through, Qin Sang felt a sudden sense of enlightenment. He sighed, realizing the vast difference between his solitary exploration and the accumulated knowledge passed down through generations by others. He had initially gained entry into artifact refining by acquiring the insights of a Void Spirit Sect Golden Core cultivator. After arriving in the Canglang Sea, although he had collected various artifact refining texts, they were unsystematic, and it was difficult to obtain the core secret techniques treasured by other sects. When encountering problems, Qin Sang could only explore on his own. Relying on his cultivation and powerful demonic flames, he had achieved some success. However, upon seeing the contents of the jade slip, Qin Sang realized he still had a long way to go before becoming a true master refiner.

Bing Han had specifically instructed that he was not to be disturbed. For the next few days, Qin Sang immersed himself completely in the jade slip. The jade slip opened up a broader world for Qin Sang. Many difficult problems were instantly resolved, captivating him. In just a few days, Qin Sang discovered several flaws in his previous plan to subdue the Southern Brightness Departing Fire. By the end, Qin Sang was still unsatisfied, wishing he could immediately enter the Void Spirit Sect's scripture repository.

One month later.

Qin Sang, deep in his study of artifact refining, was roused by a barrier's disturbance. Bing Han and Xiang Qing were waiting outside. Qin Sang exited the Fire-Averse Pavilion. After a brief exchange, the three ascended to the mountain peak side by side.

They returned to the Mountain within a Mountain. Qin Sang and Xiang Qing took positions on either side of the fiery spring, while Bing Han flew to hover above the square cauldron. The three exchanged glances, then sat down cross-legged and closed their eyes.

The three remained motionless. The fiery spring was utterly silent, save for the subtle pulsations of the Fire Jade.

After an unknown period, Bing Han suddenly opened her eyes, gazing intently at the Fire Jade. Her fingers moved like spinning wheels, sending streams of hand seals towards the square cauldron. Qin Sang and Xiang Qing also began to act simultaneously. Their plan had been set long ago; they needed no communication, each proceeding with their designated task.

The Fire Lotus Seed flew out from Qin Sang's glabella. Qin Sang's gaze shifted to the spiritual array. From within the Fire Lotus Seed, a strand of demonic flame separated. These demonic flames, having been subdued by the *Golden Lotus of Fire Seeds*, were incredibly docile in front of Qin Sang. Like a black ribbon, they gently floated onto the spiritual array. Silently, the demonic flame merged into the spiritual array, spreading along its runes towards the square cauldron. This process required extremely precise control; otherwise, any conflict between the demonic flame and the array would render all efforts futile.

Simultaneously, Xiang Qing extended both hands, hovering them over the spiritual array. Qingyang Demonic Flames surged from his entire body, slowly gathering towards his hands, mimicking Qin Sang's actions. If any disciples of the Qingyang Demonic Sect had been present, they would have noticed that Xiang Qing's Qingyang Demonic Flames were different from theirs, having undergone changes after merging with the Ancestral Sacred Flame. The two types of spiritual flames each occupied half of the spiritual array.

The moment the spiritual flames were about to touch the square cauldron, they simultaneously ceased their actions and looked up at Bing Han. The next moment, Bing Han completed the final hand seal, her jade-like hand pressing against the cauldron with a gentle tap.

'Snap!'

A faint sound, yet it marked the beginning of a transformation. The fire spirit instinctively felt uneasy and began to retaliate without hesitation.

'Whoosh!'

The surrounding fiery ley line energy was all roused by the fire spirit, surging furiously. The fluctuations intensified, and the ground trembled! Bing Han's figure trembled slightly, but she was largely unaffected, as the impact was being absorbed by Qin Sang and Xiang Qing. She was oblivious to everything outside, her palm pressed tightly against the square cauldron, using it as a furnace to refine the Fire Jade!

Qin Sang and Xiang Qing worked on two fronts, simultaneously resisting the fiery energy and fully activating their spiritual flames. The two types of spiritual flames converged beneath the square cauldron, burning fiercely and unreservedly releasing their auras. At this moment, the square cauldron had transformed into a blazing furnace!